08/23/2026
🌾 the poor farm
A Piece of Ottawa County History:
Have you ever visited Eastmanville Farm County Park and wondered about the story behind its beautiful red barn?
This 229-acre property was once the Ottawa County Poor Farm—the last operating poor farm in Michigan. Established in 1866, it provided housing, meals, medical care and meaningful farm work for people who could no longer support themselves independently.
Residents helped raise livestock, grow crops and produce food for the farm. Over the years, the property also operated as the Ottawa County Infirmary and later became known as Community Haven. Residential services and farming operations ended in 2000, and the property was officially designated as a county park in 2005.
Today, the preserved barn, silo, trails and surrounding farmland help tell an important story about the people and communities that shaped Ottawa County.
I enjoy sharing the history behind West Michigan’s land, homes and communities. If you live in—or are thinking about buying or selling property in—Coopersville, Nunica, Eastmanville or anywhere across West Michigan, I would be glad to help.
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What memories or stories have you heard about the Ottawa County Poor Farm?
David Medendorp, GRI, CCIM
Medendorp Real Estate Group